Opposing fracking cost one Colombian activist her mental health. She’s fighting to win it back.

Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco, a young Colombian environmental advocate, has been facing death threats since the tender age of 19. Now 23, Morales Blanco stands as the prominent figure in Colombia’s youth-led battle against fracking. However, her fight is not only against environmental degradation but also against the psychological impacts of climate change that disproportionately affect her age group, as highlighted in a 2021 global survey.

Colombia finds itself in the midst of a heated debate regarding the future of fossil fuel extraction, particularly the controversial practice of fracking or hydraulic fracturing. Former President Iván Duque initiated four pilot projects in 2019 to assess fracking’s feasibility on a larger scale, with two of these projects planned for Morales Blanco’s hometown of Puerto Wilches. Despite unsuccessful attempts to ban fracking in Congress, the projects are currently on hold but could potentially resume depending on the outcome of the 2026 presidential election.

In an exclusive interview, Morales Blanco, the daughter of a fisherman, recounts her journey to resist fracking in Puerto Wilches and across the nation, shedding light on her mental health struggles resulting from constant threats and violence. She emphasizes the lack of acknowledgment and support for environmental leaders like herself.

Morales Blanco vividly recalls a pivotal moment in 2019 when she was invited to a meeting by local college students advocating against fracking. Despite warnings of danger, she was drawn to their cause, eventually leading her to found Agua Wil, a youth movement opposing fracking in Puerto Wilches. The movement involved extensive community outreach and activism, culminating in rallies and protests against Ecopetrol, the state oil company spearheading the fracking project.

Through her activism, Morales Blanco discovered latent leadership qualities within herself, including adaptability and resourcefulness. However, the journey has been fraught with challenges, with threats of violence and societal backlash constantly looming over her. Despite the risks, Morales Blanco remains steadfast in her commitment to safeguarding her community and the environment from the detrimental impacts of fracking.

As the fight against fracking continues in Colombia, Morales Blanco’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of young environmental advocates in the face of adversity. Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco, a brave activist from Puerto Wilches, Colombia, found herself in the crosshairs of danger as she stood up against fracking in her community. Despite the risks, Yuvelis remained undeterred in her fight for environmental justice.

The journey began with a march that she feared no one would attend, given the dangerous climate of her town. However, to her surprise, people from all over came together to protest against Ecopetrol and ExxonMobil. The parade was a powerful display of unity and resistance, with national and international media coverage. Yuvelis and her fellow activists transformed Christmas carols into protest songs, marking the innocent beginning of their movement.

However, hope quickly turned to disappointment when the government signed contracts for fracking pilot projects on December 24. Undeterred, Yuvelis spoke out at a public hearing on fracking, delivering a poignant speech that resonated with many. Her words sparked a conversation that had never been heard before from Puerto Wilches, especially from a young Black woman.

The threats against Yuvelis started the same day she spoke out. One night, a man entered her home and threatened her, leaving her feeling violated and scared. Despite the terrifying encounter, Yuvelis sought help from a human rights organization and filed a police report.

The violence and threats escalated, with Yuvelis facing intimidation and harassment from unknown individuals. She was followed, received menacing phone calls, and was even warned of her impending demise. The once fearless Yuvelis now lived in fear, unsure of her safety and struggling to recognize herself amidst the threats.

Through it all, Yuvelis remained resolute in her mission to protect her community and the environment. Her courage in the face of danger serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of activists fighting for a better world. Despite the risks and challenges, Yuvelis continues to stand up for what she believes in, inspiring others to join her in the fight for justice and environmental protection. I started to get an itch, a scratch. My skin started to become blotchy. My period also changed, suddenly I would have hemorrhages. On top of everything, my mom didn’t know about any of it. She found out when someone told her, “I heard your daughter is under death threat.” My mother said to me, “Yuvelis, is it true?” She started crying. I told her, “Yes, mommy.” And she said, “You see, Yuvelis, I told you.” That was the saddest thing: I felt guilty, even though I was the victim. She told me, “You are not going to stay here because, at some point, they will kill you and kill all of us.”

The Alliance bought me a bus ticket, and I went to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. The ticket did not even have my name on it. A friend offered me shelter in La Perseverancia neighborhood. He told me, “Just take a cab and go to this address.” A cab? In Wilches, you just take a motorcycle or you walk. I was so scared, I didn’t know where I was. I was terribly cold. I didn’t own any cold-weather clothes. I arrived at dawn, and he hugged me. I didn’t talk. He gave me a ruana [a cold-weather poncho] and laid me down in a sleeping bag on a sofa. I fell asleep.

I felt defeated. For me, depression and anxiety concentrate on my fingertips. I started tearing the skin off my fingers. It was a time of my life marked by extremes: I wouldn’t cry at all, and then I would cry a lot. I started eating like an animal, then I wouldn’t eat at all. I got COVID. I fought for life, but for the lives of others, not my own.

When I was hospitalized, it was a reality check: I realized people were lying on the ground, cold, without blankets, crowded together [in the hospital corridors]. I said, “I’m not coming back here.”

A network of people willing to be there formed around me. I was very cared for, very supported, very understood in the midst of the crying, the screaming, the silences, and the sudden uncontrollable urge to talk. They were willing to sit down and watch me cry, to cook for me. People who had no clue how to dance organized dancing parties because they knew I loved it. Whatever it took to spark a light in me.

Despite all the trauma and the psychological shock I was experiencing, there was something I never stopped doing, and it saved my life: Talking. I felt the need to tell the world that their extractive realities were costing me my life. I started saying that fighting for life in Colombia takes away your own. Soon, there were people who began sharing with me about their own struggles seeking help.

Little by little, in 2021, I returned to Wilches. I realized all my friends had moved on [with their lives], but the life I had built wasn’t mine anymore, it belonged to the anti-fracking movement, to the public scorn, to everyone but me.

We never stopped working. The government was increasingly saying, “We will do fracking — and that’s it.” We talked back, “You’ll have to kill us then.” In January 2022, the dates of the ANLA [National Environmental Licensing Agency] visits to grant the environmental permits to the pilot projects were announced. We started to organize like crazy.

One day, before an important meeting at the city council, two guys with military garb came to my house and told me, “You already know: We are going to kill you.”

I became a rock. I had built within me a figure that had fractured into two sides: the militant and the personal. My high-functioning part has always been the militant. She was always there, committed. Everyone was expecting me to say, “I don’t want to be here anymore.” But I never did; I kept thinking about how I left running the year before.

But it was all a lie. Inside, I was dead, wanting the Earth to swallow me and spit me somewhere else.

One night, we went to dinner with the Unión Sindical Obrera (National Labor Union). They told me, “We are not famous for being stubborn and waiting to be killed. We are famous because when it’s our turn to leave, we leave and continue fighting from somewhere else.” With that came the proposal to become part of an organization with a collective security scheme because Agua Wil was never given one by the government.

One day, I was going home to get some clothes for a hearing. All of a sudden, the bodyguards come into my home, grab my arm, and throw me into our van. Security Threat Forces Colombian Activist Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco into Exile

In a harrowing turn of events, Colombian activist Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco found herself facing imminent danger when armed men showed up looking for her. The terrifying experience led to her being forced into exile for her own safety.

The incident unfolded when Morales Blanco received a frantic call from her mother, informing her that armed men had entered their home looking for her. In a state of panic, she was swiftly escorted by bodyguards who helped her put on a bulletproof vest. Despite attempts to contact the authorities for assistance, they were left to fend for themselves as the police failed to respond.

With a sense of desperation looming over her, Morales Blanco found herself wishing for a swift end, hoping that the ordeal would come to a quick and painless resolution. The threat to her life and the safety of those around her weighed heavily on her mind, pushing her to contemplate the grim reality of the situation.

Amidst the chaos, the Alliance arranged for Morales Blanco to seek refuge in France, where she would be out of harm’s way. The decision to leave her homeland was a difficult one, driven by the lack of support from the government and the escalating dangers posed by her activism against fracking in Colombia.

The journey to France was marked by heightened security measures, with bodyguards accompanying her every step of the way. Upon arriving in Paris, Morales Blanco was met with a mix of emotions, as she grappled with the stark contrast of her new surroundings and the turmoil she had left behind.

However, the transition to life in exile proved to be challenging, with language barriers and a sense of isolation adding to her struggles. Despite the opportunities and support she received in France, Morales Blanco longed to return home, yearning for closure and the chance to continue her fight against fracking in Colombia.

After a year of uncertainty and turmoil, Morales Blanco made the decision to return to her homeland in December 2022. The experience of exile had taken a toll on her mental and emotional well-being, but it also served as a catalyst for personal growth and resilience.

Today, Morales Blanco stands as a testament to the strength and determination of an activist who has endured hardships and overcome adversity. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment has reshaped her identity, blending her militant spirit with a compassionate heart that values empathy and self-preservation.

As she continues her advocacy against fracking in Colombia, Morales Blanco remains steadfast in her commitment to fighting for a cause she believes in, while also honoring her own journey of healing and self-realization. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience that define her as Yuvelis Natalia Morales Blanco – a warrior for justice and a beacon of hope for those who dare to stand up for what they believe in. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations being introduced on a regular basis. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to entertainment.

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